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Bristol Old Vic's 'unsung hero' wins national award

Bea Swallow
BBC News, Bristol
Alex Brenner Mike Elliot wearing a white turtleneck jumper underneath a grey tweed blazer. He has long, dark grey hair tied back into a slick low bun. He is smiling and holding his unsung hero award. The award is a square piece of glass with blue and gold detailing. Behind him is a white banner with the logos of the event sponsors on. Alex Brenner
Mike Elliot keeps the famous theatre running behind the scenes

A maintenance manager has won a national award for keeping a historic theatre running smoothly.

Mike Elliot has worked at Bristol Old Vic Theatre for about 40 years, dealing with "biblical flooding", blackouts and boiler breakdowns.

On Monday, he said he was "shocked" to be named the industry's Unsung Hero during The Stage Awards 2025 ceremony at London's Royal Opera House.

An Old Vic spokesperson said: "We have no idea what we'll do without him when he finally hangs up his tool belt, as the idiosyncrasies of this place are truly mysterious."

Mr Elliot was oblivious to his nomination until he was called on stage to accept the award.

"I went up [to London] thinking I was just going with the crew to have a little look at who was winning things," he told BBC Radio Bristol.

"I just thought I had got a free ticket and was able to blag a free meal."

Charlie Lyne Mike Elliot accepting his award on stage. He is wearing a white turtleneck jumper underneath a grey tweed blazer, with grey trousers. He has long, dark grey hair tied back into a slick low bun. He is holding the award in one hand and shaking the hand of the presenter with his other. The presenter is facing away from the camera.Charlie Lyne
Mr Elliot was unaware he had been nominated until he was called onto stage to accept the honour

The theatre's longest-serving member of staff was honoured by his colleagues with a standing ovation when he accepted the gong.

Mr Elliot said his favourite aspect of the job was that there was "never a dull moment".

"To be at a place for nearly 40 years, you've got to enjoy it," he said.

"I'll do it for as long as I can. I'd just like to thank everybody at the Old Vic for all the support they've been giving me through the years."

As well as enjoying his work, the theatre was also the place Mr Elliot met his future wife.

He fell in love with Rieko while working with her in the 1990s, but he only realised she felt the same way 20 years later. They finally married in Japan in 2019.

Bristol Old Vic Mike Elliot wearing black cargo trousers, a yellow hi-vis coat, brown beanie hat and black gloves. He is standing on a metal scaffolding platform on the side of the Bristol Old Vic theatre, holding up what looks like a vent panel in one hand and pointing at it with the other, while smiling at the camera. Bristol Old Vic
When Mr Elliot goes on holiday, everyone at the theatre repeats the mantra: "Mike's away, so please don't break anything"

A Bristol Old Vic spokesperson said: "For all that time, without applause from audiences, awards or celebration, he's kept our 258-year-old building heated, plumbed, lit, clean, safe and welcoming.

"We couldn't do any of our jobs without Mike. He is the total embodiment of 'behind the scenes'.

"Mike is a friend and supporter of us all. He's woven into the fabric of the building and is respected by all that work here."

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